Ganser announce debut album + share single ‘PSY OPS’

Ganser, a post-punk band out of Chicago have announced the release of their debut album ‘Odd Talk’ which will be out 4/20 via No Trend Records, and also shared its first single PSY OPS. PSY OPS (single’s officially out tomorrow) is a frantic, runaway train; half-growled absurdist vocals from Nadia Garofalo dance with chaotic, crunchy guitar riffs that are in a knife fight with an unknown assailant. Watch the video via YouTube below.

The music video juxtaposes a droll dream with its groove-based momentum – it’s a dance song for end times, with the video focusing on routine as spectacle. Directed by the band with camera work by Jason Kraynek, the individual members haunt a subject (Matt Blanton) preparing his morning’s breakfast. He is observed and filmed as such, the paranoia of the song creeping into the cinematography. The absurdity and strange in the banal makes for a strange morning ritual. Coupled with Brian Cundiff’s sinewy, propulsive drumming, the rhythm section plays off the tension between danceable no wave and post-punk’s determined focus.

Throughout ‘Odd Talk’ (vinyl pre-order), Ganser’s amorphous sound takes on the form of their comedically grim, absurdist subject matter. Exercising both introverted melody and extroverted noise, the band finds meaning through echolalic shouts and murmurs. Garofalo shouts and barks with an acerbic edge, while Alicia Gaines’ vocals soothe and swell. Mumbled, spit out, Ganser explores communication breakdown from beginning to end… seeking meaning in mess, they sort through syllables and signals to find the right words.

After a string of big hometown shows in Chicago supporting the likes of Ought & Snail Mail and Shopping (on top of their record release show @ Empty Bottle on 4/16), the band will also be heading out on tour in support of ‘Odd Talk’ (all dates below). They’ll be performing a string of shows with Bloody Knives before heading venturing out on their own in the Southeast.

Ganser tour dates